Douglas Graham/Roll Call(WASHINGTON) — Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer says now that Congress is ready to focus on the nation’s deficit, it’s time for serious action on the issue of government spending. In this week’s Republican address, Fischer says she agrees with her constituents across Nebraska who are consistent in their message: “Washington must cut out-of-control spending.”

Americans are “frustrated with the lack of progress from their elected leaders,” who haven’t reined in spending, but rather have “added $4 billion each day to our gross national debt,” she says. A limited government, which Fischer supports, would focus on “fulfilling its core duties and responsibilities” to “identify the national priorities worthy of taxpayer funding.”

The Constitution, Fischer notes, says Congress’ top priority is to “provide for the common defense.” But, she warns, the government is preparing to make deep cuts to national security funding — “all because some leaders in Washington can’t get their priorities straight.” A member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Fischer says she is “100 percent committed to both reducing spending and meeting my constitutional obligation to defend this nation.”

“It’s equally important to uphold America’s promises to active city service members and veterans, those who have risked life-and-limb in defense of our nation,” she says in the address.

The primary drivers of the country’s debt, Sen. Fischer asserts, are programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. While there’s little consensus in Washington on how to do so, the senator insists these programs must be reformed in a way that “keeps our promises” to seniors, retirees and those nearing retirement. But, she adds, “such reforms will require political courage and will demand strong leadership from the president and leaders of Congress.”

“It’s time for serious action. No more kicking the can down the road. No more using the threat of middle class tax hikes to force last minute deal-making. The debate over taxes is done. Tax increases barely pay for a few days of government spending, and in all my years of public service, I have never had constituents ask me to raise their taxes. The problem is not the American people are taxed too little; it’s that the federal government spends too much,” Fischer says.